Lately, I have been very fearful.
I have feared that I am not good enough for this adventure.
I have feared that I am not strong enough.
I have feared that I will be too homesick to make it through eleven months without my family and friends.
I have feared that my teammates won’t like me.
I have feared my niece and my dog will forget me.
I have feared that I will not be able to get a job when I get back from the race.
I have feared that I will not raise enough money to even get to leave.
Like I said…I have been very fearful.
I have been hiding my fear from my friends and family. When someone asks about the World Race and about how I am feeling or if I am scared, I just brush it off, smile and say how blessed I am to get to go on this amazing adventure around the world. No one really knows just how scared I have truly been.
Now don’t get me wrong…
I am SOOOO excited and overwhelmingly blessed to go on the race, Satan has just really been showing me all my weaknesses and trying to tear me down.
That is, until today…
This morning all my fears were left at the alter.
The pastors wife, Spirit led, called out to the congregation for those, who have had fear in their lives, to come forward to be prayed over.
Yes, she was speaking straight to my heart.
Not only were we singing one of my all time favorite worship songs, Oceans by Hillsong United, but The LORD was speaking through the pastors wife directly to me!
I fought it at first.
I thought, there is no way she is talking to me. Other people had to be fearing stuff in their lives too right? Someone, but not me. He was speaking to someone else, it could not be little ole me!
Others began stepping forward.
Maybe, He wasn’t calling me. He was just calling them.
As I stood there, I prayed. I prayed for those who had just stepped forward and I prayed asking God if He was calling me forward. That’s when I realized just how fearful I have been lately. I was even fearful of stepping out and admitting I have been fearful! I was consumed with fear. I knew this was something only prayer could conquer.
I stepped out and fell to me knees at the alter.
I was instantly surrounded with church members hands praying over me.
I could hear them praying that the LORD would cast out my fear and telling me that I am brave.
Through Christ, I am brave.
I have nothing to fear for God is with me. He is always holding my hand and guiding me throughout this entire journey.
My worry and doubt was all Satan trying to pull me away from the LORDS plan.
That is the way I needed to enter into this new year; being reminded that I have nothing to fear!
I am brave, I am loved, and I have nothing to fear, because the LORD of the universe HAS MY BACK!!
2017 is sure to be one of the very best years yet!
God bless you and thanks for reading,
Niki Ables
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
